To escape the harsh winter of Los Angeles this year (lol), my boyfriend and I departed on a weekend getaway to the lovely, beautiful Temecula. Just an easy, breezy two hour drive south of L.A., Temecula is known for its robust wine country filled with hillside vineyards and wineries, as well as outdoor activities like golfing and hot air ballooning. I hadn’t been to Temecula since my 24th birthday (4 years ago), so I was overdue for a trip to this special city. On my 24th birthday I went on a hot air balloon ride with my dad which was SO much fun, and that I would highly recommend for you adventure seekers out there. This trip, though, we kept it simple with good food, good wine, and a cute bed & breakfast -- and we had a blast! Read on below for the top things to do and see during a weekend getaway to Temecula. ​

Temecula is known as the wine country in Southern California. With more than 30 wineries making a variety of award-winning wines, you could spend a whole day stopping by different wineries and vineyards - trying wines (and check out Groupon for tasting deals before you go!), enjoying a quiet picnic lunch, and reveling in the beautiful scenery at each and every turn. And since the wineries are all close in distance, it takes just a few minutes to drive from one to the next - making the day fun, easy, and enjoyable.​To search for wineries in Temecula, visit https://www.visittemeculavalley.com/things-to-do/old-town/wine-tasting/​You can also check out this winery map here: http://www.temeculawines.org/taste/winery-map.php

​The hospitality of Temecula's wine country definitely does not disappoint. There are a range of comfortable places for you to call “home” during your stay here - from adorable, countryside bed and breakfasts (what we opted for), to rustic and charming inns, larger resorts among Temecula’s golf courses, or your more-typical hotel in the bustling Old Town. We stayed at the Inn at Churon, which is situated beautifully among 11 acres of estate vineyards. From each suite’s vineyard-facing balcony made perfectly for picnics with rolling hillside views, a marble bathroom with large jacuzzi tub, fireplace in-room, free “wine hour” for guests, gorgeous grounds to stroll through, and a delicious breakfast included in your stay - I would highly recommend this Inn to you and yours.

​Whether you’re a lover of California’s history or a fan of old-time architecture (Old Town dates all the way back to the 1880’s!) or just a seeker of good food, beer/wine, and cute shops - Old Town Temecula has something for just about everyone. It blends an old-time feel (think wooden boardwalks, antique shops, western-style architecture), with a modern twist (farm-to-table, restaurants, insta-worthy wine bars, craft breweries), and an overall good time with live music, the occasional outdoor festival or farmers market, and endless good vibes.

​As I mentioned above, my dad and I went on a hot air balloon ride for my birthday a few years ago, and we l-o-v-e-d the adventure of it! If you’re willing to wake up before the sun rises on your vacay and aren’t afraid of heights, I bet you’ll absolutely love it. The 360 degree scenery at each elevation is beautiful, so make sure to bring a camera or phone to snap pics on. Hot air balloon rides depart from various wineries and locations around Temecula, and you can schedule a ride year-round - weather permitting.

​Overall, I would recommend all Angelenos who enjoy wine and a beautiful change of scenery to visit the area of Temecula. It’s just a two hour drive down here, but I can almost guarantee that you will feel like you’re a world away. Bumper-to-bumper traffic is replaced with rolling grape-filled hillsides, smog is replaced with clean, fresh air and blue, sunny skies, and the concrete jungle we’re so used to is replaced with adorable hillside inns and mom-and-pop style restaurants and family-owned wineries.